Dupage Policy Journal

City of Warrenville Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals met Feb. 20

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Cosgrove called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

B. ROLL CALL

PC Present: Tim Cosgrove, Jessica Tullier, Jim Martina, Natalie Clemens, Bob Vavra

PC Excused: Rachel Fawell, Mark Taylor

ZBA Present: Tim Cosgrove, Jessica Tullier, Jim Martina, Natalie Clemens, Bob Vavra

ZBA Excused: Mark Taylor

Also Present: Community & Economic Development Director Amy Emery

Planner/GIS Technician Jack Maszka

C. OLD BUSINESS

1. 2S651 Angeline Court / David LaPapa

Located on the east side of Angeline Court (Continued Public Hearing)

CHAIRMAN COSGROVE MADE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VAVRA. CHAIRMAN COSGROVE ASKED FOR A VOICE VOTE. MOTION PASSED. MOTION CARRIED.

Petitioner Presentation:

David LaPapa was sworn in and provided a recap of the request, noting:

• He completed work beyond permit allowance.

• His belief zoning variance is the best and easiest process based on current condition.

• The new door is an upgrade to the house and neighborhood and will address need for improved pedestrian access to the building and prevent rodent entry.

• Improvements taken in response to wife medical condition which is a hardship.

• Prefer to keep house as is instead of adding more concrete or structures to achieve the same result.

Mr. LaPapa believes completing the project, as he has proposed, will be less disruptive to the neighborhood. If the variance is not approved he will either seek to widen his driveway or build additional garage, subject to zoning setback, bulk, and coverage requirements.

Public Testimony:

None

ZBA Questions and Comments:

Confirmed:

• All variance standards should be met, not a single standard to grant a variance.

• Home has 3 bedrooms and petitioner has 4 vehicles

• Replacing the French doors with a garage door will address the parking deficiency

• Mr. LaPapa currently parks his vehicles on the street and will continue to do so regardless of variance approval or not.

• In the event of more than 2” of snow, Mr. LaPapa indicated he would park on his driveway, at work, and other parking lots nearby.

Staff clarified that the options should the variance be supported, would not be overly burdensome to track. The information will be on the title to the property and staff can record restriction in city records.

COMMISSIONER VAVRA MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL DENIAL OF THE VARIANCE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MARTINA. CHAIRMAN COSGROVE REQUESTED A ROLL CALL VOTE.

VOTED AYE: COSGROVE, MARTINA, VAVRA, CLEMENS

VOTED NAY: TULLIER, JOHNSON

MOTION PASSED. MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TULLIER TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. SECOND BY VAVRA. CHAIRMAN COSGROVE ASKED FOR A VOICE VOTE. MOTION PASSED.

MOTION CARRIED.

D. NEW BUSINESS

1. 28W709 Townline Road / John Bailey

Located on the south side of Townline Road, west of Curtis Avenue (Public Hearing)

CHAIRMAN COSGROVE MADE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VAVRA. CHAIRMAN COSGROVE ASKED FOR A

VOICE VOTE. MOTION PASSED. MOTION CARRIED.

Petitioner Presentation:

• John and Katherine Bailey confirmed since last meeting have consulted with City engineer. A drywell will be placed in the rear of the property to address the additional stormwater.

• They expressed their desire to maintain the home as a ranch.

Public Testimony:

None.

Chairman Cosgrove acknowledged receipt of letter of support signed by 17 neighbors.

PC/ZBA Questions and Comments:

• Chairman Cosgrove provided summary of Courtesy Review discussion and reflected:

○ Applicants do have the option to build up with or without first floor master

○ Hardship is self-imposed – not unique to the lot.

○ When the parcel was originally subdivided a variance was approved for width and square footage.

• Commissioner Clemens – Confirmed the following:

○ Drywell location is proposed in the rear

○ Drywell will offset impervious coverage based on City Engineer review

○ Drywell will not address variance to total impervious coverage.

• Commissioner Vavra -

○ Confirmed with staff that there is no provision in the zoning ordinance to deduct this coverage requirements with the installation of a drywell

○ Confirmed with staff that massing and greenspace and aesthetics are also concerns addressed by coverage requirements.

○ Suggested since existing conditions are already beyond maximum coverages, to add pervious surface for places by the garage

○ Suggested some mitigation in addition to the drywell because the parcel is still not in compliance with standards (623 square feet over)

• Commissioner Tullier confirmed coverage references in the staff report were correct.

Petitioner offered to turn the last 10 to 15 feet of driveway to pavers (permeable surface) to offset runoff in response to inquiries from Zoning Board of Appeals. This would result in no net new impervious surface on the property.

COMMISSIONER VAVRA MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE VARIANCE, CONTINGENT ON A DRYWELL INSTALLATION AND CONVERSION OF 895 SQUARE FEET OF IMPERVIOUS ASPHALT DRIVEWAY BEING CONVERTED TO PERVIOUS SURFACE TO ACHIEVE NO NET NEW IMPERVIOUS SURFACE FROM EXISTING CONDITIONS.

SECOND MARTINA.

CHAIRMAN COSGROVE ASKED FOR A ROLLCALL. ALL VOTED TO APPROVE.

COMMISSIONER VAVRA MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECOND BY MARTINA. CHAIRMAN COSGROVE ASKED FOR A VOICE VOTE.

MOTION PASSED. MOTION CARRIED.

2. 27W126 Galusha Avenue / Jason and Bonnie LaRusso

Located on the north side of Galusha Avenue, west of Herrick Road (Public Hearing)

CHAIRMAN COSGROVE MADE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TULLIER. CHAIRMAN COSGROVE ASKED FOR A VOICE VOTE. MOTION PASSED. MOTION CARRIED.

Petitioner Presentation:

Jason LaRusso provided a summary of the request. As summarized in a Courtesy Review, locating a pool in the front yard requires a variance. His remarks focused on drainage and stormwater improvements required as noted in the staff report. He confirmed he is willing to move the drains as required by the City Engineer.

Public Testimony:

○ Sharon Fischer, owner of the property to the immediate west of the petitioner expressed concerns with drainage. She objects to the request until the drainage issues are resolved.

○ Chairman Cosgrove noted three letters of support were received.

○ Bonnie LaRusso shared that the civil engineer will be returning to the property. The French drain Ms. Fisher is concerned about was covered with snow and not discovered during initial visit. He was made aware of the drain on Tuesday. The catch basin requested by Ms. Fisher will remain and flows will be diverted from it. The plans will be updated with permit process.

PC/ZBA Questions and Comments:

Commissioner Clemens confirmed drainage flow direction. She also asked if there was an agreement/covenant pertaining to the culvert and French drain on the LaRusso property to the benefit

of Ms. Fisher. All confirmed no such agreement exists.

Commissioner Martina asked about the significance of 40’ radius. Community Planner Maska suggested it is related to emergency vehicle access.

Commissioners confirmed with staff that protective fencing/barrier requirements will be met. No deviation is requested from code to this requirement.

Planner Maska noted that the variance request is specific to the pool location. It is typical for applications at this point to have outstanding engineering and building requirements. All such matters will be addressed in compliance with code through the permit process. 

COMMISSIONER VAVRA MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A VARIANCE TO PEMRIT A POOL IN THE FRONT YARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH REVIEW COMMENTS IN THE FEBRUARY 20, 2025, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MARTINA. APPROVED BY ALL.

COMMISSIONER TULLIER MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECONDED BY COMMISSOINER VAVRA. MOTOIN PASSED

E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Regular Meeting Minutes of February 6, 2025

CHAIRMAN COSGROVE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FAVRA. CHAIRMAN COSGROVE ASKED FOR A VOICE VOTE.

MOTION PASSED. MOTION CARRIED.

ABSTAIN: JOHNSON AND CLEMENS

F. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

G. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: None

H. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S REPORT

• Requested timely RSVP from Commissioners to confirm quorum

• Shared Governor’s Ad Hoc Missing Middle Housing Solutions Advisory Committee Report

• Informed all that March 10, 2025 Community Development Committee of the Whole will include discussion of goals pertaining to short-term rentals

I. PLANNER’S REPORT

Community Planner Maszka reviewed upcoming agenda items for March Meetings

J. MAYOR’S REPORT: None

K. ADJOURN

COMMISSIONER EBBESEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VAVRA, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:43 P.M. CHAIRMAN COSGROVE ASKED FOR A VOICE VOTE. MOTION PASSED. MOTION CARRIED.

https://www.warrenville.il.us/DocumentCenter/View/29805/02-20-2025-PC-ZBA-Minutes-DRAFT?bidId=